Dehydrator



Aug. 14, 1956 R. A. LINE 2,758,719

DEHYDRATOR Filed Jan. 22, .1953 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

RICHARD A-.LINE

ATTORNEY 4, 1956 R. A. LINE 2,758,719

DEHYDRATOR Filed Jan. 22, 1953 4 e ts-Sheet 2 FIG. 7

INVENTOR. RICHARD A. LINE ATTORNEY R. A. LINE DEHYDRATOR Aug. 14, 1956 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Jan. 22, 1953 INVENTOR. RICHARD A. LINE ATTORNEY R. A. LINE DEHYDRATOR Aug. 14, 1956 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Jan. 22, 1953 FIG. 4'

- INVENTOR. RICHARD A. LINE BY a A ATTORNEY United States Patent DEHYDRATOR Richard A. Line, Marinette, Wis., assignor to Ansnl Chemical Company, Marinette, Wis., a corporation of Wisconsin Application January 22, 1953, Serial No. 332,638

3 Claims. (Cl. 210-131) This invention relates to driers or dehydrators for removing moisture or other undesirable materials from fluids. More specifically, the invention relates to devices for removing moisture present in refrigeration systems.

My dehydrator removes water from either the liquid or gaseous refrigerant. Water present in the refrigerant of an operating mechanical refrigeration system is a common source of operational breakdown. The breakdowns may be caused by the water freezing out at the expansion valve, restrictor tube, or float valve orifice causing stoppage of the refrigerant flow; and the formation of sludges and iron and/or copper salts as a direct reaction with the water or by catalytic action of the water. The water in the refrigerant of operating refrigeration systems is usually removed by passing the refrigerant liquid or gas through an assembly containing a dessicant material. These assemblies as commonly employed include a shell containing the dessicant retained by screens and/or other porous material at each end inside the shell, with fittings at the extreme ends of the shell for connecting into the liquid or suction line of a refrigeration system.

The present invention provides a very effective dehydration construction which is relatively simple, easy to install and remove from a refrigerating system. Further details and advantages of my invention will be apparent from the following specification and appended drawings, wherein Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view of a dehydrator unit constructed in accordance with my invention,

Figure 2 is a fragmental view similar to Figure 1 showing the fitting provided with a sight glass,

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view of a fitting used with my dehydrator having a closure cap thereon,

Figure 4 is a vertical sectional view of a fitting provided with a sight glass and a closure cap having a sight glass,

Figure 5 is a fragmental vertical sectional view of a dehydrator provided with a by-pass fitting,

Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 5 showing the by-pass in closed position, and

Figure 7 is a vertical sectional view of a strainer unit.

Referring to Figure 1, the dehydrator assembly consists of a cylindrical shell or cartridge 18 provided with a top closure 20 suitably attached thereto. A connector nut 21 is provided at the upper opening of the shell 18 which is threaded internally to receive a connector fitting 3. A gasket 22 seals the fitting 3 to nut 21. Screens 11 and 15, of woven wire cloth, perforated sheet metal, glass cloth and the like, are provided at the top and bottom of shell 18.

Radially extending spiders and 16 are also permanently attached at the top and bottom of the shell for fixedly retaining a vertically extending feed tube 12 of a suitable bore 13. The open lower end 120: of the tube communicates with a space 17 at the bottom of the shell 18. The upper end of the tube 12 is adapted to extend within the lower bore 9 of the fitting 3 and its free end Patented Aug. 14, 1956 is adapted to fit in engagement with a complemental connector element 6 provided in fitting 3.

A suitable desiccant 14, such as comminuted silica gel, activated alumina, calcium sulfate and the like is placed between the upper and lower screens 11 and 16. Spring 23 is positioned in space 19 above the upper screen 11 which normally is in compression against the screen 11 and tends to press same against the desiccant 14.

The screens 11 and 15 filter out foreign material and/ or fine particles of desiccant without undue pressure drop during the refrigerant flow. Fitting 3 is provided with an inlet 2 and an aligned outlet 7 adapted to be suitably connected to the refrigerating lines 1 and 8, respectively. In use, the refrigerant enters from line 1 into the fitting 3 through bore 2 and passes through opening 4 in connector element 6 to the center 5 of the fitting where it is directed downward through connector element 6 and into center tube 12 in the dehydrator assembly to the bottom space 17 of the cartridge 18 where it reverses its flow and returns upward through screen 15, then passes through the desiccant 14, through the second screen 11, through the annular space or channel 9 inside the fitting 3, but outside of the connector element 6, and through outlet 7 which may be connected either by fiare or solder joints to the refrigeration line 8.

The cartridge assembly can be disassembled from the fitting 3 by unscrewing the cartridge 18 by means of a wrench or other suitable tool and if desired the refrigerating line is closed by cap 35, as shown in Figure 3.

The dehydrator as previously described may be furnished with a sight glass 30 in the fitting 3, as shown in Figure 2, whereby it is possible to visibly check the refrigerant flow into the drier. If desired, a closure cap 45 may be provided, as shown in Figure 4 which has a sight glass 41 therein. The fitting 3 may also be provided with an upper sight glass 4-0, as shown in Figure 4, in order to observe the flow of refrigerant therethrough.

The drier, as previously described, may be furnished with a shut-off valve and bypass arrangement in a fitting connection as shown in Figures 5 and 6 whereby it is possible to close the valve, remove and change the cartridge assembly, or cap fitting connection without disturbing the operation of the refrigeration system.

The fitting 82, as shown in Figures 5 and 6, comprises aligned inlet port 91 and outlet port 91a. Housing 88 is threaded internally to receive and fixedly retain a bearing element 87 which is provided with an axial bore to rotatably receive valve stem 86 therein. The end of stem 86 is threaded and is rotatably received in a mating threaded aXial bore in valve plate 99. The fitting is provided with a valve seat 90 to seat the valve plate 99 in its lowermost position, as shown in Figure 6. A valve seat 100 is provided in housing 88 for seating the valve plate 99 in its uppermost position, as shown in Figure 5. A guiding element 83 is also provided to engage in a slot 94 in the valve plate 99 for eliminating rotation of the valve plate 99 during vertical movement thereof. Fitting 82 is sealed to the drier shell 1% by gasket 22. A removable internally threaded cap 95 is provided for closing the upper end of the valve assembly, as shown in Figure 5.

The valve is constructed as shown in Figures 5 and 6 so that the center tube 12 of a suitable bore 13 is connected at its .upper end to a connector element 94 which is permanently fastened to valve plate 99 which slides up and down in housing 88. The valve plate 99 seats at the upper seat 100 when the flow is through the cartridge assembly 18 and seats at the lower seat 90 when the flow is straight through the fitting. The valve plate 99, valve shaft 86, and center tube 12 are moved from open to closed position by turning the valve stem 86 in a counterclockwise direction. When the valve plate 99 seats at the upper seat '100, as shown in Figure 5, the refrigerant will enter into the fitting 82 through inlet port 91 and passes through opening 92 in connector element 94 to the center 93 of the fitting where it is directed downward through connector element '94 and into :center tube 12 in the dehyd-rator'assembly to thebottom of the cartridge 18-where it reversesits flow and-returns upward through the desiccant 14, through upper screen 11, through theannular space 95 insidefitting8 2 and through outlet port 91a. W-hen the valve plate 99 seats 'at the lower seat 90, as shown in Figure 6, the refrigerant will enter into the fitting82 through inlet port91, pass over valve plate 99which-shuts off communication with tube 12, and through outlet port'9la ofthe fitting 82.

It may sometimesfbe necessary to place a filter or strainer in a refrigeration system line to remove foreign material. The assembly shown in Figure 1 can be altered for such purpose by eliminating the upper and lower screens 11 and 15 and. the desiccant 14 'and replacing them with a large cone or cylindrical screen 55, as shown in Figure 7. Such assembly is interchangeable on the fittings used with the drier assembly'previously described.

In order to make it unnecessary to evacuate the air from the drier cartridge assembly when it is provided with a shut-off and by-pass valve, the cart-ridge'assetnblymay be charged and furnished with a slightrefri-gerant pressure sealed into the assembly.

My drier assembly can beinstalled in the suction line of a refrigeration system between the suction valve and the compressor valve pad. The refrigerant in this case may contain some entrapped oil; The drier istherefore mounted in an inverted position so that-the oil'will flow by gravity to the compressor.

My construction has many advantages over prior constructions. It can be permanently'ins'talled in refrigerant line and cartridge assemblies can be changed by only one threaded connection. off and by-pass valve, the cartridge assembly can be changed While the refrigeration system is in operation. There is no necessity for pumping the system down. It is also possible to check the cartridge assembly for plugging without removingthe cartridge.

When using the fitting with sight glass it is possible to incorporate the visual fiow'indicator right at the drier and take advantage of the fitting for two purposes: flow indication and cartridge connection. A replacement drier of larger or smaller size may be applied to the fitting should it become necessary to replace the original drier cartridge. The drier may be removed and a strainer may be applied to the fittingv By having the fitting and cartridge assembly as separate parts, it-is possibleto reduce the number of complete assemblies required for all combinations of sizes of fitting connections and drier cartridges. By supplying a fitting cap it is possible to remove the cartridge assembly from the refrigerant line, leaving the fitting for future use -for applying a drier or strainer.

'When using the fitting with shut:

By supplying a fitting cap it is possible to remove the cartridge assemblyand still-leave the fitting -with sight glass in the line for indicating liquid flow. By applying the drier for suction line use at the compressor it can be used to protect the compressor directly-from moisture and dirt. By using a fitting for applying between the suction valve and the compressor valve pad, it is possible to install, remove, orchange the drier without pumping the system down.

The dehydrator as described is not necessarily restriated-to use in refrigeration systemsand mayrbe .used in any fluid system for removing moisture or Lother vundesirable material.

I claim:

1. A drier unit :for a refrigeration line comprising a unitary assembly including a tubular shell, 21 fitting removably positioned in the upper end of said shell provided with inlet and outlet ports, a connector element retained in said fitting a foratninous filter screen spaced from the upper and-lower ends of said shell, a desiccant positioned between said screens, said screens being-provided with aligned openings, a vertical tube extending through'said openings,the'lower end of said tube opening into the bottom space of said shell, the upper end of said tube extending into said connector element and in sealed relation therewith, said connector element being provided with aninletpo'rt adapted to'communicate with a refrigerant line and with the said verticaltube, said fitting i being providedwith a passageway communicating with an outlet port-in said fitting in communication with the said refrigeration line, whereby refrigerant is adapted to flow through said inlet port downwardly through the said vertical tube and then upwardly through said desiccant 1 and out through the outlet port in said fitting.

'2. A drier construction as defined in claim '1, wherein a-manually compressed spring is provided at the upper end-of the tubular'shell for normally urging the upper screen into compression against the desiccant.

'3. A drier construction as definedin claim 1, wherein the fitting is provided with a bypass and-shut-off 'valve for the fluid passing 'therethrough.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

1. A DRIER UNIT FOR A REFRIGERATION LINE COMPRISING A UNITARY ASSEMBLY INCLUDING A TUBULAR SHELL, A FITTING REMOVABLY POSITIONED IN THE UPPER END OF SAID SHELL PROVIDED WITH INLET AND OUTLET PORTS, A CONNECTOR ELEMENT RETAINED IN SAID FITTING, A FORAMINOUS FILTER SCREEN SPACED FROM THE UPPER AND LOWER ENDS OF SAID SHELL, A DESICCANT POSITIONED BETWEEN SAID SCREENS, SAID SCREENS BEING PROVIDED WITH ALIGNED OPENINGS, A VERTICAL TUBE EXTENDING THROUGH SAID OPENINGS, THE LOWER END OF SAID TUBE OPENING INTO THE BOTTOM SPACE OF SAID SHELL, THE UPPER END OF SAID TUBE EXTENDING INTO SAID CONNECTOR ELEMENT AND ING 